As part of its continuous initiatives to enhance community awareness of laws related to financial matters, the Central Bank of the UAE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and a number of partners concerned with law enforcement, launched a campaign aimed at raising the level of awareness among individuals and the business community of the laws, regulations and instructions for money remittance. The campaign focused on the importance of transparency and integrity of transactions through registered "Hawala Providers", to strengthen the efforts of combating money laundering and financial crimes.

This campaign comes in line with the strategy and directives of the UAE government to enhance security and safety, solidify the soundness of the financial system, provide the appropriate environment for economic and investment growth, and enhance the country's reputation in international forums.

The campaign features a series of legal awareness messages, issued in several languages that suits the cultural diversity in the country, and in line with different media and electronic platforms used. The content of these messages is mainly defining the legal frameworks and legislation in areas related to money transfers inside and outside the country. In addition, it also focuses on the importance of the hawala providers commitment to mandatory register in the remittance system of the Central Bank, and obtain a registration certificate that allows carrying out Hawala activities using the specified trade name. Any Hawala Provider who practices the activity without registration is considered outside the law, which exposes him to investigation and legal prosecution by law enforcement authorities.

The Central Bank of the UAE, the supervisory authority governing the hawala providers in the UAE is committed to ensuring that every hawala provider adheres with the UAE's laws, regulations and standards, to preserve the transparency and integrity of financial transactions through registered hawala providers, implement measures related to anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, and protect the financial system of the UAE.